Hi Looking to travel soon to SF .. I anm wondering with all the stories I have heard is it safe to do this on my own?

Would you prefer the advice of an "American" or a European who might be able to give you some insight into how traveling in the U.S. might be different than Europe?

(For anyone other than Visitingnow who might be confused by this post, the background is on the Europe board.)

Visitingnow - I have lived in the Bay Area all my life, and I have only heard one man make a comment about getting "hit on" in SF and, well, he's rather a girlie man.

Seriously, I don't think you have anything to worry about beyond the usual "tourist fears" (i.e., pickpockets, etc.) SF is a great city and well worth the visit, alone or otherwise.

Visitingnow -- I spent 2 weeks by myself in San Francisco a few years ago. Not problem for this single Asian girl. Sure, there're cheeky guys around but I didn't feel like I was in any danger. Did the same thing in LA as well. Noooo problemo... ;-)

thanks for the replys folks

you have put my mind to rest now .. all i have to do is set myself up to go out and find what to do while i am there

thanks again

Are you worried that someone is going to attack you, or that a man is going to give you some unwanted attention? If the latter is the concern, I think you're fine unless you happen to wander into a gay bar. Then all bets are off.

I think what Mr. Visitingnow might actually want to look out for is trolls.

I am thinking more about physical violence tbh ... a guy hitting on me isn't much of a problem .. if you like them you go for it if not you brush them off.

A guy actually hitting you or worse pulling a gun ect is a more frightening subject though.

Is it wise to arm oneself with a gun for self preservation? From reputation all Americans are armed thus as a traveller should I also consider becoming American for a short time?

Visitingnow - don't worry about the violence. It's going to be at the same level as any other city. Just know where you are and where you are going.

As for being armed, contrary to what you see and hear in the media, most American citizens aren't armed. In addition, you'd have a very hard time getting a gun on a plane with you. But by all means, if you're concerned, give it a try.

"Is it wise to arm oneself with a gun for self preservation? From reputation all Americans are armed thus as a traveller should I also consider becoming American for a short time?"

Don't know where that reputation came from, but it's certainly not the case.

I don't even know if it's legal to carry a concealed weapon in SF, but I agree that it's not necessary.

Are you for real or are you a troll?

Yes go ahead and carry a gun in America and this is what will happen...

If you aren't a marksman the other guy with the gun will win.
If you are unfamiliar with guns you may end up shooting yourself.
Better yet, the other guy will probably disarm you and shoot you with your own gun.

And if your not shot by a bad guy you will probably end up in jail for carrying a concealed weapon or for not having the proper permit.

You only have to be concerned for your safety if you are deliberately putting yourself in harms way.... Picking up a complete stranger and going to a strange place, deliberately going into a high crime drug/gang neighborhood to buy drugs same as anywhere else.

If you are for real and not a troll, get a map of the city. Go to one of the main police stations, tell them you are a tourist and have them circle on your map the neighborhoods to avoid.

Sorry, I will be nice. Realized you are European and may not appreciate American humor. But your idea of this American stereotype is so untrue.

Our founding fathers gave us the right to bear arms in our First Amendment.

But in 2006, if you are on probation/parole and in some states convicted of domestic violence (to include live-in boyfriend/girlfriend not just spouses)you are not allowed to be in possession of a gun. If you have ever been convicted of a felony you can not own a gun. Hence, it is illigal for criminals to have a gun.

The majority of gun owners have them because they inherited them, collect them, are hunters, or shoot at a range/sport. These people keep there guns at home in a gun locker when not doing the above. Most law abiding citizens do not carry guns even in the states that allow you to carry a gun in public. The only guns you will probably see are the ones carried by the police.
Unfortunatley, criminals still illegally get possession of guns (thefts or they get friends without criminal records to buy them). The majority of gun violence takes place in neighborhoods that have a high crime rate of drugs and gangs. And the next leading cause of gun violence is a domestic lover's fight.

Although your comment about picking up a man if you are interested does concern me. If you are willing to go off with a complete stranger you may be setting yourself up for an armed robbery, physical assault, or worse sexual assault. Remember in this situation you are a prime target because you are unfamiliar with the local scene.

Oops!
Meant to say Constitution not First Amendment.

Parisnow, I do believe that Visitingnow was truly asking and not being a troll. Unfortunately, the US does have a reputation as being a gun-toting place and foreigners don't always know the truth of the matter.

As for the comment on picking up strangers, I believe he was just making a generic statement and wasn't suggesting that picking up strangers was a healthy habit.

Visitingnow, I'm interested in what you perceive would be significantly different in SF (from a safety viewpoint) than in any other major city around the world that you might visit.

Not winding you up - just curious.

Parisnow - re. your comments on gun-carrying. Isn't a pity that those Founding Fathers weren't also able to bestow on the citizens of the US the good sense not to do so?

Actually I believe the voters of SF passed a law that it is now illegal to own a gun in SF (of course the criminals could care less about that, right?) I believe this law has a court case pending.

Visitingnow, as others have said just don't go wandering into undesirable looking neighborhoods and don't get involved with illegal activities and you should feel relaxed.

DO be careful when crossing streets. SF has a high rate of pedestrians being hit by cars and busses etc. Even when the signal light shows you can cross the street do look both ways before crossing. Keep an eye out for vehicles coming around corners.

And just ignore the beggers, my suggestion is don't make eye contact and just keep walking.

Have a wonderful time in SF!!

Visitingnow: Have a wonderful time in San Francisco- it is a relativley safe city.

parisnow: what you REALLY meant to say was that the Second Amendment gives us people the right to bear Arms.

Taurus: Isn't a pity that those Founding Fathers weren't also able to bestow on the citizens of the US the good sense not to practice the wrong religions or say offensive things; and shouldn't they have given us a list of approved newspapers to read? OR do you just want to delete the Second Amendment?

Tampa--Sorry I just can't keep those amendments straight when I am typing in my sleep.

Have to second your comment to Taurus. I am one of those rare females who owns several guns. But my dear father bestowed the sense in me that if I was going to grow up around guns I should know how to properly handle one. Taurus meant to say "the good sense to spend HOURS training to safely handle a firearm in a controlled environment with certified instructors." Sadly it is those with unfamiliarity and who are uncomfortable handling firearms who need to keep their hands off of them.

Parisnow - it's the "idiots" who shouldn't touch a gun regardless of how many hours of training they have had. I've heard some stories about really, really, really stupid things trained peace officers have done with guns.

I hear you on that one but unfortunately that falls on the hiring practices of law enforcement agencies another topic entirely.